Reagan Crozby, 7, bids on a raffle item hoping to win it as a gift for her mother, Stephanie Stephens Crozby. With Reagan is her dad, Brian Crozby. "My wife is a cancer survivor, and she is in the show," he said. Photo by Mercia Hobson.
A young girl sporting a pink t-shirt runs about under the Reston Town Center Pavilion, Saturday evening, Sept. 29. Her t-shirt reads, "I wear pink for my mom." Another young girl, Reagan Crozby, 7, stands with her dad, Brian at a raffle table. Reagan holds her raffle ticket stub. “I want to win the hairstyle basket," she says to the volunteer behind the counter.
"My wife is a cancer survivor and is in the show," says Crozby.
The “Second Annual Runway to the Cure Fashion Show” held at the Reston Town Center Pavilion Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, is about to begin. Proceeds raised from the event which was presented by Scout & Molly's, Reston Town Center, and Athleta go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, whose "Bold Goal," the organization reports, is to reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in the U.S. by 2026.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. More than 40,000 women and men die of breast cancer every year in the U.S. cites the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
"Breast cancer affects everyone. This event is about raising funds to continue the research to find a cure and to fund support programs while honoring the women in treatment and those who have won their battles," said Jane Abraham, owner of Scott & Molly's Boutique. All 40 models are breast cancer patients and survivors. Plus today is about fashion. Scout & Molly’s Boutique and Athleta fashions will be highlighted. “Many corporations and merchants in and around Reston have donated a wonderful list of raffle items. This event has truly brought the Reston community together."
Kirsten Berset-Harris, anchor of Great Day Washington on WUSA9, emceed the “Second Annual Runway to the Cure Fashion Show.”
"I'm honored to be here tonight to raise money for breast cancer research and support programs. Tonight is especially meaningful to me because I am also a breast cancer survivor," said Berset-Harris.
During the next hour, forty breast cancer patients and survivors walked the pink runway, to help benefit breast cancer research and programs. PaShon Mann, a talent acquisition executive at Inova Health System, wife, mother, survivor and volunteer, was one of the first models. “Mann is dedicated to bringing awareness of the disparities in the survival rate of women of color,” announced Emcee Berset-Harris.
Shannon Cunningham was a two-time breast cancer survivor whose motto Berset-Harris repeated: “If your story doesn't have a happy ending, it's not over yet."
One of the final models for the evening was April Yeager of Reston, cancer survivor for just over a year diagnosed at age 38. Berset-Harris said that Yeager recently ran the "Stepsisters Ribbon Run" 5K and will run the "Dewey Goes Pink" 5K next week.
"I'm honored to be part of this community,” said Dawn D. Gammon OD, Eyewear Gallery, Reston. "It brings together retailers, residents, business owners, and volunteers from the community to raise money for a cause that affects so many of us."